This one-storey brick building on Main Street in Emerson, measuring 20 feet by 40 feet, was designed by architect Alexander D. Melville and built in 1928 by contractor Alfred Henry Bears, at a cost of about $6,000, to house local circuitry for the Manitoba Telephone System.
It was used by the company until August 1968 when a new building was opened elsewhere in town. Subsequently used by several other businesses, the building was vacant at the time of site visits in 2020 and 2023.
Telephone Exchange Building at right in Emerson street scene (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2024-0063
Telephone Exchange Building at Emerson (circa 1928)
Source: Manitoba Telephone System Collection #24, Archives of Manitoba
Telephone Exchange Building at Emerson (April 2020)
Source: George Penner
Telephone Exchange Building at Emerson (February 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.00646, W97.21541
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Alexander D. Melville (1873-1949)
Memorable Manitobans: Alfred Henry Bears (1857-1936)
MHS Centennial Business: Manitoba Government Telephones / Manitoba Telephone System / MTS Allstream / Bell MTS
“Tenders,” Manitoba Free Press, 18 July 1928, page 17.
“Telephone system to build six Exchanges,” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 July 1928, page 5.
“Tourist traffic boosts building in Emerson,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 January 1929, page 19.
“Tenders, Manitoba Telephone System,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 August 1968, page 56.
We thank Wayne Arseny for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by George Penner, Gordon Goldsborough, and Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 11 February 2025
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
